Click on flyer to enlarge

Convoy of Hope selected 5 U.S. cities to bring this valuable event to and Fresno was one of them.  It is a faith-based event, bringing all churches in the area together to bring truckloads of food, clothing and medical professionals to our community which has so many families and individuals who are in desperate need of these services.

There will also be a Job and Health Fair portion to the event of agencies there to make people aware of the services that are offered by them on a daily basis.

COH is also in desperate need of volunteers, due to the magnitude of this event, they need as many volunteers as possible. If anyone is interested in volunteering, there will be a volunteer meeting/training on Friday, November 6th at Pacific University on Chestnut Avenue at 6 pm. 

Statement by Mayor Gavin Newsom

It is with great regret I announce today that I am withdrawing from the race for governor of California. With a young family and responsibilities at city hall, I have found it impossible to commit the time required to complete this effort the way it needs to — and should be — done.

This is not an easy decision. But it is one made with the best intentions for my wife, my daughter, the residents of the city and county of San Francisco, and California Democrats.

When I embarked on this campaign in April, my goal was to engage thousands and thousands of Californians dedicated to reforming our broken system and bringing change to Sacramento.

I would like to thank those supporters, volunteers, and donors who have worked so hard on my behalf. I have been humbled by their support and am indebted to their efforts. They represent the spirit of change and determination essential to putting California back on the right track.

I will continue to fight for change and the causes and issues for which I care deeply — universal health care, a cleaner environment, and a green economy for our families, better education for our children, and, of course, equal rights under the law for all citizens.

Gavin Newsom Official Website

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama said Friday the U.S. will overturn a 22-year-old travel and immigration ban against people with HIV early next year. The order will be finalized on Monday, Obama said, completing a process begun during the Bush administration.

The U.S. has been among a dozen countries that bar entry to travelers with visas or anyone seeking a green card based on their HIV status.

"If we want to be the global leader in combatting HIV/AIDS, we need to act like it," Obama said at the White House before signing a bill to extend the Ryan White HIV/AIDS program. Begun in 1990, the program provides medical care, medication and support services to about half a million people, most of them low-income.

Read the rest of this story... HERE

 

 

The Colbert Report	Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
The Word - Don't Ask Don't Tell
www.colbertnation.com
Colbert Report Full Episodes Political Humor Religion

 

Low-income HIV-positive Americans may soon have the continued promise of better access to health care and federal funding.

The Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency (CARE) Treatment Extension Act of 2009, or S.1793, passed the House of Representatives on Oct. 21 with a vote of 408 to 9, and was approved by the Senate on Oct. 19.

The bill, if signed into law by President Obama, would provide federal funding to help low-income, uninsured, or under-insured Americans with AIDS gain access to healthcare.

Read the rest of this story here: Bay Window - Ryan White Care Act Passes House and Senate 

The Senate voted 68 to 29 Thursday to pass a Defense Department funding bill that includes a measure extending hate-crimes protections to people targeted on the basis of their gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, or disability.

The National Defense Authorization Act now goes to President Barack Obama’s desk for his signature.

“As the President said back in April, the hate-crimes bill takes on an important civil rights issue to protect all of our citizens from violent acts of intolerance, while also protecting our freedom of speech and association. He looks forward to signing it into law,” said White House spokesman Shin Inouye.

Read the rest of the story here: Advocate - Senate Passes Hate Crimes Measure

I saw this on Towleroad today and couldn't help but post it. It's from April of this year, from testimony given in Maine regarding marriage equality.

Video from the National Equality March - Created by and Courtesy of DivaXX

A new ad campaign will be hitting the subways of New York soon. Earlier this year a similar campaign took place in London. Both campaigns are working to increase awareness of people who do not subscribe to any religious mythology, and to promote rational thought over fantasy. Personally, I didn't think I'd see these kinds of organized campaigns in my lifetime, but they are long overdue. It's vital we do our part to encourage the evolution of our species away from mythology and toward reason and logic. Until we do, struggles like our current LGBT equal rights battle will continue to restrict our lives.  

Click to enlarge

The group behind the New York City campaign is the Big Apple Coalition of Reason , "a collection of local organizations working together to increase awareness of secular-minded groups throughout New York City". Their goal is "promoting wider acceptance of a more rational and realistic view of the universe", and to reach out to the "humanists, atheists and agnostics living in the New York metropolitan area". Their posters read..."A Million New Yorkers Are Good Without God...Are You?" Read the whole story HERE.

Click to enlarge

Rationality took a stand at the recent National Equality March as well. A friend of mine who returned to Fresno after attending the march dropped off the sign he carried while there, which states "END THE HARM From Religion-based Bigotry and Prejudice". The sign was produced by the group Faith In America which had a contingent there to march and passed out 5,000 signs to the crowds. Other sign slogans from this group included "Religious based bigotry has had many targets, LGBT people are the latest victims". Visit Faith In America's  Official Website for more information. Their mission statement includes the following..."The mission of Faith In America is to educate the public about the harm caused to gay Americans when religion-based bigotry and prejudice is used to justify condemnation, discrimination and violence toward this minority population group."

 

8: The Mormon Proposition is a new documentary about the Mormon Church and their involvement in Proposition 8 in California and their strategies and tactics against LGBT Americans. Watch the trailer here and visit the Official Website for updates on where the film can be seen. 

(Fresno, Calif.) The Bulldog Pride Fund at Fresno State honored its 2009-10 scholars – Allison Zulewski, Leonel Barajas and Julia Scott – on Oct. 16, 2009, at a reception held at the Smittcamp Alumni House.

 

Bulldog Pride Fund alumnus and donor Jared Lindo (Class of 2009) welcomed guests and thanked them for attending. He also shared his Fresno State experience and why he continues to donate to the BPF.

Lindo introduced Peter Robertson, BPF founder, who announced the launching of the Bulldog Pride Fund’s twitter site: http://twitter.com/bulldogprideorg. Robertson also presented alumna and donor Lauren Chalmers with a small Bulldog trophy and thanked her for “participating in the payroll deduction process to support the Bulldog Pride Fund.” Chalmers surprised everyone in attendance by hand-delivering two donations of $500 and $250 to the BPF.

Katia Deleo introduced Allison Zulewski, BPF scholar, freshman and liberal studies major.

“My family and I are blessed for your support, said Zulewski. “I am very honored to be selected as a Bulldog Pride Fund scholar.”

Leonel Barajas, BPF scholar and freshman majoring in mass communication and journalism, was introduced by Brenda Franco.

“Thank you so much to all the Bulldog Pride Fund donors for your support and for helping me with my educational journey, stated Barajas. “I’m using my scholarship to buy books and other needed school supplies.”

Cynthia Elliott introduced Julia Scott, BPR scholar, junior and fine art major.

“The Bulldog Pride Fund has enabled me to follow my educational dreams,” said Scott. “I will do my very best to represent the spirit of the BPF in all that I do.”

Each scholar was presented a small Bulldog trophy with the Latin inscription — BONUS INTRA. MELIOR EXI. — which translates to English as “Enter good. Exit Better.”

Joan Hughes, BPF donor and volunteer gave the scholars a handmade quilt representing “the warmth the community has for them.” She also presented a quilt to Robertson.

Later that same evening, each scholar was additionally honored at the Top Dog Alumni Awards Gala held at the Save Mart Center with nearly 650 guests attending. Scholars were also provided $1,000 of their $2,000 scholarships, as the remaining $1,000 will be made available in Jan. of 2010.

As of Oct. 19, 2009, Bulldog Pride Fund donations total $167,136.36.

Give today. For tomorrow and beyond.

www.bulldogpride.org

http://twitter.com/bulldogprideorg

 

(Click On Photos To Enlarge For Viewing...Photos Courtesy DivaX) 

(More images on next page...)

(Click on images to enlarge for viewing. Photos courtesy Leon Velasco)

This was a great and worth while event. There were individuals representing Porterville, Hanford, Visalia as well as Fresno in the convoy of vans and one vehicle. I went alone, not knowing what I was getting myself into and what to expect. Usually I have someone with me for company. I figured I’d make some new acquaintances and develop new friendships, and that’s just what I did.

 

Familiar faces showed up at the location of offices adjacent to Kaiser Office by Fashion Fair Mall at about 4:45 am. Little by little people started arriving; eventually everyone who was going to utilize the vans was there. I must admit that at first I wasn’t sure if I was going to be having any fun much less stay awake for the trip up; the change in scenery was all I needed to keep my interest. Everyone was in good spirits and some were running on fumes of energy from partying the night before but it didn’t stop their energy level. (Man, to be young again to party to all hours and still look unfrazzled.)

When we got there, the convergence of people was a great amount. The speakers kept the speeches to a minimum, (as promised), and then it was off to walk the bridge to and from. To start out I was in step with the crowd, some on lookers cheered us on and some vehicles honk in support. Under the bridge, some boaters got into the groove by their faint cheers and waves of support. Once we got across we rested for a few minutes then back across we went, (I had a second wind to power walk across) to reconvene back at the park for a little cake a strawberries treats.

 

The ride back was a lot of fun, and very interesting to say the least. Ever play the game of exotic dice as a car ride game? It made for some interesting body contortioning. The car ride back was shorter than going up there. In all by the time we hit Madera I didn’t want the car ride to end. I had made new friends and hope to keep in touch with them all, (especially now that I have Face book).

With dedicated people and supporters, together changes can be made. I hope to be a part of more events for the cause.

(10-14) 14:09 PDT SAN FRANCISCO -- A federal judge refused today to dismiss a lawsuit challenging California's ban on same-sex marriage, setting the stage for the nation's first trial on the constitutionality of a law allowing only opposite-sex couples to wed.

Chief U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker, in a ruling from the bench in San Francisco, said a trial was needed to resolve crucial issues, including whether gays and lesbians are persecuted minorities entitled to judicial protection from discriminatory laws. He has scheduled the trial for January.

Read the rest of this story here: Judge Refuses To Toss Suit Challenging Prop 8

Click on the following link to view an interactive map on the Los Angeles Times Website which details the battle for LGBT marriage rights across the country...LA Times - Gay Marriage Interactive Map

 

This story was published a few months ago, but since the movie opening this week, on October 16th , we felt it appropriate...

Children’s book author Maurice Sendak has been asked many questions throughout his career, but when New York Times writer Patricia Cohen asked if there is anything he’d never before been asked, the author paused before saying, “Well, that I’m gay.” Sendak lost his partner of 50 years in 2007.

Children’s book author Maurice Sendak has been asked many questions throughout his career, but when New York Times writer Patricia Cohen asked if there is anything he’d never before been asked, the author paused before saying, “Well, that I’m gay.”

The 80-year-old author of the legendary children’s book Where the Wild Things Are revealed in the interview that he “just didn’t think it was anybody’s business.” Sendak told the Times that he lived with his partner, psychoanalyst Eugene Glynn, for 50 years before he passed away in 2007.

Sendak sat down with The New York Times to discuss a benefit celebrating his career. The event drew a slew of celebrity attention, including Meryl Streep, James Gandolfini, and playwright Tony Kushner, who called Sendak one of the most important “writers and artists ever to work in children’s literature.”

Sendak told the Times that he never came out to his parents -- something he says he now regrets. He says he kept quiet about being gay because the idea of a gay man writing children’s books might have killed his career when he was in his 20s and 30s.

Sendak is nearing completion on his latest book, he told the Times, but put work on hold when Glynn took ill. He told the Times that for the first time in his life, he is scared of not being able to finish a project.

“I feel like I don’t have a lot of time left,” he said.

On the heels of the Times interview, Out.com's Popnography blog extended a thanks to Sendak for "deciding at 80 years young there was no point in waiting around any longer to be asked." (The Advocate)

SOURCE - Advocate.com

Photo gallery from the San Francisco Bridge Walk, which took place on Sunday, October 11th, to commemorate National Coming Out Day. About 40 people from the Fresno and Visalia area made the trek up together. Photos courtesy Vickye Ashton. Click on images to enlarge them. More photos on next page...

Anyone who knows me at all knows I'm passionate. I don't let anyone get away with BS around me, I call out the issues when I see them, I'm brutally honest particularly when facing off against stupidity and prejudice. I passionately believe that LGBT Americans are LONG OVERDUE for equal rights. This nation should be ashamed of itself for allowing this insane discrimination to continue decade after decade. I've been at rallies, I've been at protests, I've waved signs and shouted down Christians (that's my favorite...). Throughout my history of passionate political debate, however, I've consistently done the research necessary to keep up with the facts. I'm all for passion, I support passion, I endorse passion. But if you're going to be passionate about something you'd better have thought it through. Passion is what you come to AFTER you've used your brain and looked at the facts, it just doesn't work the other way around.

So it's disturbing what's happening with some of those at the forefront of the current push for equality for LGBT Americans. The Barney Frank incident last week was appalling, as I've already written about here.  You can find all sorts of LGBT activists vehemently denouncing Barney Frank on the internet, as well as HRC's Joe Solmonese for his poorly constructed email over the weekend. Andrew Sullivan, as is his style, stars in his own YouTube moment , denouncing Solmonese. Michelangelo Signorile, in the CNN video attached to this article, slams the HRC audience listening to President Obama, basically saying they are elite, affluent socialites, and don't represent all LGBT Americans.

Really?

Guess what, Michelangelo? Neither do you, neither do I, and neither do the thousands who turned out for the march. No one person or group represents all LGBT Americans. This is another blatant attempt to categorize one LGBT group as THE ONLY LGBT group.

On Sunday, October 11th, at the National March Rally, Fresno's own Robin McGehee, after labeling Barney Frank "useless" in a twitter posted after Frank's comments, took to the rally podium and said this, directed at Congressman Barney Frank... "You may say that marches don't matter. I say you are out of touch in the seat of power you are clearly enjoying. We are here to use our first amendment right, Mr. Frank, Congressman Frank, to speak out against the prejudice that we so want you to speak out against as well."

Really?

Barney Frank doesn't speak out against LGBT prejudice in America?

Really?

A day after the National March in Washington, organized in order to bring attention to the need for Federal legislation to bring equality for all LGBT Americans, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed into law several important pieces of LGBT legislation.

Three bills, sponsored by Equality California, result in the recognition of Harvey Milk Day (which will be May 22nd each year, Milk's birthday), The LGBT Domestic Violence Programs Expansion Bill, which will leverage funding for same sex domestic violence cases, and the Marriage Recognition and Family Protection Act, which states that same sex couples married out of state before November 4, 2008 will be considered married in California. Additionally, same sex couples who have married or who will marry out of state after November 5th, 2008, will be considered married in the state of California. This will mean that while same sex couples are still not legally allowed to marry in California, if they are legally married in another state and return to California, those marriage rights will apply to them here. This is a big step, and provides a loophole through the discrimination that is Proposition 8. It also adds another layer of legal precedence in the battle for equal federal rights.

Three resolutions were passed by the State Legislature. These resolutions urge the passage of an inclusive Employee Non-Discrimination Act on a federal level, as well as a hate crimes bill and the Uniting Families Act, which, if passed, would let Americans sponsor same sex partners for immigration. The legislature also passed resolutions urging the federal repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell, the Defense of Marriage Act and the ban on gay and bisexual men donating blood.

The Governor vetoed two bills, also sponsored by EQCA. The Equal ID Act would have assisted transgender Californians in obtaining accurate birth certificates, and the LGBT Prisoner Safety Act would have provided safeguards in prison housing related to gender identity and sexual orientation. The Governor stated that there were already protections for these issues in existing laws and policies.

Lady GaGa performing "Imagine" @HRC Gala and speaking out @The National March

 

If you missed it on CSPAN, you can watch the National Equality March in DC at your own pace by visiting the video archives of CSPAN online.

To go there now, click on this link: VIDEO: National Equality March

Pictures courtesy Susan Stewart 

Equality Across America is uploading photos from the weekend to their page on Flickr. To view the photos, click here: Equality Across America Photo Stream

Link to President Obama's speech at the HRC Gala in Washington DC on Saturday, October 10, 2009.

President Obama's Speech to HRC

Joe Solmonese, President of the Human Rights Campaign is creating yet another stir on the internet with publishing of an e-mail he sent out regarding President Obama and the battle to secure LGBT equal rights. In the email Solmonese states that he's not ready to judge the President's actions on our issues until 2017. He says accomplishments have already been made, and more are in the works, but it won't be until 2017 that we'll be able to see the results. 

To many on the internet, Solmonese's words have been defined as a call to sit on our hands until 2017, to wait it out. But there also seems to be, besides the shock, admitted confusion about what Solmonese means. Despite that admittance, almost all the comments I've seen posted are extremely negative toward Solmonese.

I think this email was poorly written and constructed, particularly since Solmonese is hosting Obama at the HRC Dinner in DC where the National March is taking place, but I don't necessarily agree with those who are saying he's calling for us to sit on our hands. From my point of view, he's attempting to deflect activist anger at the President, and urging less aggression against Obama, given that Obama's verbally supported us, and since Congress is making progress with ENDA and DADT. I see it as him saying these things take time and we should slow our rush to judgment, that things are being worked on, and things take time. Unfortunately, these types of statements, regardless of their validity, are not very inspiring, and can easily result in less activism in the community, which is absolutely not the way to go.

The biggest and most glaring mistake in the message is that we don't know if we'll have Obama after 2012. Last time I checked a President is elected every 4 years, not 8, which means if we're going to look at this from the perspective of how long we'll have Obama for, we have to side with caution and assume it could be just 4 years.

You be the judge. Attached is the email from Solomnese, in two parts. Simply click on the images to enlarge them. 

UPDATE: Joe Solmonese has issued a statement in light of the internet debate about his email.

Photos courtesy of Susan Stewart - Ceremonies at Arlington Cemetery with Dan Choi...

 

Just a couple of quick links to help you follow the National Equality March this weekend.  You can find some coverage by 365gay.com by clicking here...365Gay - National March Coverage

I also saw a posting today stating that CSPAN was planning to broadcast a portion of the event, although I haven't been able to find it on their schedule as of yet. But check back, I'm sure it will updated...You can visit the website here: CSPAN

If anyone is aware of any other live feed or broadcast please let us know so we can post it.

 

Boy, Barney Frank is getting hammered. Barney was interviewed by Michelangelo Signorile about a number of things, including the National March in Washington. Frank, a Congressman from Massachusetts, called the March "useless" and said "I literally don't understand how this will do anything. People are kidding themselves. I don't want people patting themselves on the back for doing something that is useless." He added that people would be better served by staying home and lobbying their members of Congress.

Well, thanks to Twitter, activists immediately went into hyper drive, condemning Frank for his words, in a flurry of hate from all corners of the internet, people one by one labeled him with profane names and demanded he step down from his position in Congress. Visit sites like Signorile.com or Towleroad or JoeMyGod and sample the comments posted. If you're on Facebook check for postings there, which have been some of the most vitriolic. There are comments, on all those sites, which are rational and thoughtful, and remind others who Barney Frank is. Those, however, are far overshadowed by the childish rants of angry and petulant activists.

Put this into perspective for a moment...Barney Frank is not some right wing, republican windbag, he's on our side. Not only is he on our side, but he's an openly gay Congressman who's currently instrumental in the Hate Crimes Bill, which just passed the House and now moves to the Senate, and if it makes it all the way to the President's desk and is signed, will be the first federal protection for LGBT Americans. Frank is also the key figure in the Employment Non Discrimination Act, which is currently in process, and if it succeeds will be the first federal protection for LGBT employees in the workplace in America.

ANCHORAGE, Alaska – Levi Johnston is going for the ultimate exposure — the 19-year-old father of Sarah Palin's grandchild will pose nude for Playgirl, his attorney said Wednesday.

To get ready for his close-up, Johnston is training three hours a day, six nights a week at an Anchorage gym with a local body builder.

A formal agreement hasn't been reached with the online magazine, but the photo shoot is a "foregone conclusion," said Johnston's attorney, Rex Butler.

Read the rest of the story here

This is the last segment of an hour long episode of "Countdown With Kieth Olbermann" which aired Wednesday, October 7th, 2009, and dealt exclusively with health care reform. This man continues to amaze me with his words and reason. Don't miss this...

 

Anderson Cooper and Dan Choi face off against Elaine Donnelly, who, as usual, has nothing to back up her stance against gays and lesbians serving in the military. She does her best to act as if she's the victim here, to act as if she knows more statistics than Anderson and Dan do, but of course, as usual, Elaine didn't even bother to research her position on the topic. She simply believes cliche rhetoric will win the day. Watch her get taken down...

President Obama may be speaking at the HRC gala in Washington DC this Saturday, October 10th, the night before the National Equality March, but it won't be without protestors outside. Gay Liberation Network along with Queer Liberaction (Dallas) has announced a jointly organized picket of the event to take place at 6pm.

The Gay Liberation Network has issued a statement on their website, criticizing the organizers of the National March, saying "Their current focus on cajoling Congress and the President to do the right thing ignores a very basic fact – this approach has never won civil rights gains." They added something which I've been in support of, and promoting, for some time now, which is that we need more aggressive actions and less "respectful pandering". They added, "By contrast, uncompromising street protests led by ACT-UP and others gave us the Ryan White AIDS Care and the Americans With Disabilities Acts – despite a very reactionary political climate during the first Bush administration. An era of such protests – the 1960s – caused the radical change in consciousness among LGBT people which thereby gave birth to our modern LGBT movement."

Although the majority of our movement has morphed into a politically correct and far too controlled mindset, all evidence leads to a conclusion that this is not the way to go. I've been especially amazed at this continued path, given the unbelievable defeats we've recently endured, when logic, reason and the constitution of the country were completely on our side. For some reason, these blatant acts of anti-American discrimination and restrictions placed on us by even the very court systems which should be overturning our inequality, has not resonated with the majority of our movement. Instead, those who voice any opposition to the continued strategy of the recent past, which has failed, are denounced.

I have to say, reading about this protest and more importantly, the statements on the websites which urge a return to demands, rather than requests, are refreshing, even hopeful. I've been surprised that since the courts upheld Prop 8, and conservative and religious groups have now gone after all states which have approved same sex marriage, that not one radical action has taken place from our side. Don't be influenced by the majority groups who categorize any suggestion of a radical act as a regular strategy which "sets us back" or "derails the movement". All civil rights movements have used occasional radical acts in order to move the battle forward.

Also don't be influenced by the majority who characterize "radical" as "violent". It's upsetting to see groups so quick to applaud their own efforts then use the political tactic of re-defining a word or words in order to deflect an opposing idea. Radical acts are unexpected, aggressive and often result in arrests. Radical acts are acts which refuse to, for that day, follow the rules. No one is suggesting setting anything on fire. Radical acts are singular, and used to punctuate the dialogue. No one is suggesting that we throw gas on the fire day after day after day. But without an occasional heating up of the issue, we may be doomed to forever be second class citizens.

Review By: Leon Velasco

Insight to Group

In 1990, over 200 representatives of Indigenous nations from throughout the western hemisphere met for the first time in Quito, Ecuador. There they witnessed the unfolding prophecy of the Eagle and the Condor. It is the inspiration of spiritual running, to re-unite the nations from North, Central and South America. They remember and talk about a prophecy foretold, how we will come together and reunite as one. “We are like a body that was broken up into pieces and this body will come back together to be whole again.” Hundreds of runners from throughout the Northern and Southern continents leave  Chickaloon, Alaska on the 1^st of May to Panama and meet the runners of the southern most point of South America “Tierra del Fuego”  coming together to fulfill the ancient prophecy.

Each time Peace & Dignity Journey passes, the prayers conducted during the run focuses on an energy or spirit:

In 1992, the first Peace & Dignity theme was based on the children.

In 1996 the elders were the focus of the run, bringing in knowledge of our past and participating in the prayers.

In 2000 the run had a particular focus on the family.  

In 2004 runners focused on the spirit of the Woman. To the struggle and the power of mothers and grandmothers whom give life to our very existence, and to our mother earth and its constant struggle with the environmental changes that we humans are putting her through.

In2008 the run was dedicated to sacred grounds. Too many sacred grounds are being taken over by corporate America.  They are turned into biohazard waste dumps and propose to build nuclear plants on them.  Many of these lands host the burial grounds of our ancestors.

Crutch - Based on a True Story

Rated R - Director: Rob Moretti - Starring: Robert Bray, James Early, Jennifer Katz, Frankie Faison, Eben Gorban

Review By: Leon Velasco  Rating: One Thumb Up/ One Down

I thought I’d do a review to a movie that all the Students and Instructors would relate to when discussing attraction of one to the other. I am guilty of such desires and let me tell you; there aren’t enough restraints in the world that could have held me back, had I the opportunity to fulfill my student and teacher fantasy. Of course the professor I fantasized of is very attractive, (sigh) if only. But that’s never going to happen, that was two semesters ago at city college. Crossing boundaries can be so delicious; with the right person, hot desires… Is it me or is it getting hot? Get ready for some hot scenes in what may have been your fantasy.

Behind a façade of suburban middle class perfection, a compelling tale of love, loss, lies and lust unfolds… Sixteen-year old David’s (Eben Gordon) Home life is falling apart. As he tries to cope with his impossible situation, the troubled, impressionable teenager falls under the spell of Kenny (Rob Moretti), a gorgeous, thirty something, has been an actor turned theater coach. And when Kenny’s “support” escalates into seduction, David slowly descends into an abyss of drinking and drug addiction from which he must escape if he is to survive. Based on a true story, Crutch is a captivating, powerful look at exorcising private demons and exposing dark secrets.

“Like the scribblings in a teenager’s diary, the film vacillates between insight and exaggeration.” – Don Wilmott, Filmcritic.com

(More reviews on the next page...)

October is GLBT HISTORY MONTHhighlighting, annually, the achievements of 31 gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender Icons—one each day—with a free video, bio, bibliography, downloadable images and other resources.

Visit the GLBT HISTORY MONTH WEBSITE where, beginning October 1, 2009, "a new GLBT Icon is presented daily. Each day you’ll have access to his or her video, bio and resources, along with information on all the preceding Icons. Just click on the Icon's name, corresponding with the day of the month." This year, those profiled include filmmaker Gus Van Sant, early gay activist Harry Hay, television anchor Rachel Maddow, financial guru Suze Orman, professional basketball player John Amaechi, author Paul Monette and singer kd Lang.

We have embedded the daily video at the top of the main page of GayFresno.com. The video profile will change each day in October, highlighting a different person each day. You can also visit the website by clicking on the link above. You can download a PDF file containing the biographies of all this month's profiles by clicking HERE

From the New York Times...

President Obama will speak to a gathering of gay rights activists this weekend, a day before thousands of people are expected to march on Washington in a demonstration calling for greater legal protections for gays, lesbians and transgendered Americans.

Mr. Obama’s appearance on Saturday at the annual dinner for the Human Rights Campaign, a leading gay rights advocacy group, represents a significant show of support for gay rights at a time when many prominent gay and lesbian activists have been questioning the president’s commitment to their issues.

Many gay rights activists have become increasingly vocal about their frustration over what they see as tepid support from Mr. Obama. While the president has professed support for overturning the ban on gays in the military and called the law that precludes federal recognition of same-sex marriages discriminatory, he has not engaged on gay rights issues as actively as some had hoped.

Read the rest of this article by clicking here... NYT - OBAMA TO ADDRESS GAY RIGHTS ORGANIZATION

If you missed seeing it at Reel Pride this year, you can catch the documentary OUTRAGE, about closeted gay politicians, starting tonight, Monday, October 5th, on HBO.

From the New York Times...

WASHINGTON — In an unusual show of support for allowing gay men and lesbians to serve openly in the armed forces, an article in an official military journal argues forcefully for repealing the “don’t ask, don’t tell” law, which requires homosexuals in the services to keep their sexual orientation secret.

The article, which appears in Joint Force Quarterly and was reviewed before publication by the office of Adm. Mike Mullen, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, says that “after a careful examination, there is no scientific evidence to support the claim that unit cohesion will be negatively affected if homosexuals serve openly.”

Although the article, by an Air Force colonel, Om Prakash, carries no weight as a matter of policy, it may well signal a shift in the official winds. It won the 2009 Secretary of Defense National Security Essay competition.

To read the rest of this article...click here: Rare Source of Attack On Don't Ask Don't Tell

Next week, LGBT people from across the United States will be joined by family and friends in a historic journey to Washington DC to take part in the National Equality March.

In 1979, we marched on Washington to tell America we would not go away. In 1987, we marched to fight for our lives.  In 1993, we marched to prove we would survive. In 2000, we marched to claim our place in the new millennium.

On Sunday, October 11, we will once again march on Washington with the ultimate demand:

Full Equality Now.

We go to Washington to address the nation as a whole. We believe America is ready to accept LGBT people as full citizens, deserving of all rights afforded any other citizen.

We make this demand in the tradition of all those in America’s past who were told their gender, race, or ethnicity defined them as less than equal to other Americans. Each, in their own time, came to Washington to speak to the nation and its leaders, and to fight for full equal rights. We gratefully recognize that without the example of their leadership and sacrifice, it is unlikely we would be on our way to Washington at all.